‘Mad Men’ Will Return For Season Five Despite Contractual Bumps

The question of whether there will be a season five of Mad Men makes fans very nervous, but New York Magazine confirms that the popular AMC drama will return. However, that doesn’t come without contractual dilemmas. Executive producer Matthew Weiner is reportedly making demands for himself and his cast, but AMC isn’t giving into all of them. The cable network released the following statement: “While we are getting a later start than in years past due to ongoing, key non-cast negotiations, Mad Men will be back for a fifth season in early 2012.”

Today Weiner spoke to the New York Times about negotiations with AMC. He explained that the cable network has asked that the cast be “slimmed down” and and each episode be cut by a few minutes. Weiner believes these cuts would make Mad Men a different show and doesn’t understand why AMC wants to change it. He told the newspaper, “All I want to do is continue to make my show, and make it in the way I want to, with the people I want to make it with.”

Weiner has reportedly been offered $30 million to remain with Mad Men, possibly making him one of Hollywood’s highest-paid showrunners. No word on what any of the cast, celebrating their Outstanding Drama Series win at the 2010 Emmy Awards, will be making per episode.